Most visitors know Redwood National and State Parks as home to the world's tallest trees—icons that inspire visions of mist-laden primeval forests bordering crystal-clear streams. But did you know that the parks also protect vast prairies, oak woodlands, and nearly 40 miles of wild coastline, all of which support a rich mosaic of wildlife diversity and cultural traditions? more...

Campgrounds

Four developed campgrounds—three in the redwood forest and one on the coast—offer unparalleled camping opportunities for groups, families, and individuals. These spectacular settings are popular with campers form all over the world, so be sure to plan ahead! Fees apply and reservations may be required. more...

Be a VIP: Volunteer-in-Parks!

Volunteers play an ever-increasing role in our national and state parks. At Redwood, VIPs work side-by-side with National Park Service and California State Park employees to help care for these special places. Whether staffing an information center front desk, serving as a campground host, assisting park scientists in the field or lab, or picking up litter, volunteers are true stewards of our natural and cultural heritage!

America's Best Idea

The National Parks: America's Best Idea is a six-episode series directed by Ken Burns and written and co-produced by Dayton Duncan. Airing nationally beginning Sunday, September 27th. For more information, please visit: www.pbs.org/nationalparks

From Forest's Edge to the Edge of Extinction

Sheltered in a soft nest of moss and ferns, a marbled murrelet chick waits silently atop a massive redwood branch high above the forest floor. Its parents spend their day at sea, diving for small fish, returning at dusk to feed their solitary offspring. Like the fog that shrouds the forest, a murrelet's life is connected to both forest and sea. more...

Eureka's Old Town:

Nowhere is Eureka's Victorian heritage more evident than in Old Town, a meticulously preserved and restored district of unique shops, restaurants, galleries and museums. The Old Town/Downtown district includes theaters, pubs, antique shops, local coffee houses and the new Arkley Center for the Performing Arts . Follow this link for a Walking tour of the historic buildings in Old Town. Or view it from the seat of a horse drawn carriage, see sidebar for more info.
Then take a break in one of our cafes, or dine in some of Eureka's finest restaurants. Follow up with a stroll on the boardwalk to take in the view of Humboldt Bay , or hop on board the Madaket for a water tour of the bay. Don't forget to reward the kids with some fun time in The Discovery Museum .

Many special events including the Arts Alive! art walk the first Saturday of each month, take place in Old Town. As you walk the streets of this district, admiring the victorian architecture, you will find that many of the walls of the commercial buildings in the area are adorned with murals. Some of the murals in this area are listed on this link to the Eureka Mural Tour .

New books, old books, clothes, art, home decor, unusual gifts, garden items, jewelry, beads, birdhouses, pirate flags and more can be found as you meander through the shops in this district.

Avenue of the Giants:

Avenue of the Giants - A Destination Vacation : This world-famous scenic drive is a 31-mile portion of old Highway 101, which parallels Freeway 101 with its 51,222 acres of redwood groves. It is by far the most outstanding display of these giant trees in the entire 500 mile redwood belt and is accessible to all with convenient services provided along the way. The Avenue of the Giants is surrounded by Humboldt Redwoods State Park which has the largest remaining stand of virgin redwoods in the world. Take time to picnic, camp, hike, swim, fish, raft or bike ride in the cool hush of these ancient redwood forests.

Don't miss visiting ROCKEFELLER FOREST , where 10,000 acres of indescribable beauty will surely awe any visitor. There are many trails in this forest, as well as, the 8th, 6th, 4th, and 2nd tallest trees, and the “Champion Coast Redwood” at 370 feet tall!

SCOTIA is one of the last “company-owned” towns in California. There is a Historic Logging Museum (open in the summer months) with photos, artifacts and machinery used in old logging camps.

SHELTER COVE The community of Shelter Cove offers an airport, golf course, superb lodging and fine dining, surrounded by beaches, mountains and outstanding coastal views. Shelter Cove boasts excellent ocean fishing, beachcombing and mountain trail hiking, all at your doorstep. While on the North Coast, a visit to Shelter Cove is definitely in order.

GARBERVILLE - The main hub of activities and commerce in the Southern Humboldt county area. You'll find a nice variety of eating establishments and a nice selection of lodging. Check out the many unique shops in town. Garberville is just ten minutes from the Avenue of the Giants and about 45 minutes from Shelter Cove.

DYERVILLE GIANT - Within Humboldt Redwoods State Park, along the Founders Grove nature trail, are two special examples of the many giant redwoods found near the South Fork of the Eel River. The Founders Tree was dedicated to those who led the drive to establish the “Save-the-Redwoods League”. The Dyerville Giant was recognized as the “Champion” Coast Redwood as certified by the American Forestry Association until it fell on March 24, 1991. Before it fell, it was at least 362 feet tall (estimates from two different sources measured it at 370 feet after it fell). That is 200 feet taller than Niagara Falls or comparable to a 30-story building. It is also 17 feet in diameter and 52 feet in circumference. It probably weighs over 1,000,000 pounds.

Visit the Museum! The Ferndale Museum is a Victorian museum which features historical displays arranged in room venues.

Walking through the museum is like walking down a Ferndale street in the late 1800s and peeking through windows into the past. A blacksmith shop, belt driven machinery,farming, and logging equipment complete your look into yesteryear.

The Museum is open: February through December, Wednesday through Saturday, 11:00 to 4:00 and Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00. During the summer months of June through September we are also open on Tuesdays 11:00 to 4:00.

Location : Eureka CA Type : Museums Phone : 707-443-1947 Description : The Clarke Historical Museum is located in the heart of Eureka's Old Town in an elegant 1912 building that was once the Bank of Eureka. One large gallery houses frequently changing exhibits on various aspects of Humboldt County history and includes several period rooms. Another hall displays an outstanding collection of basketry, artifacts and regalia from the local Native American tribes. Admission is free though donations are appreciated.

Location : Blue Lake CA Type : Theater Company Phone : 707-668-5663 Description : Dell'Arte international is an extraordinary community of artists. The combination of our training programs, research, the original touring productions of the Dell'Arte Company, our summer festival, our youth education programs in public schools, and our work in economic/community development makes us a destination unlike any other on the American theatre map.

Location : Ferndale CA Type : Theater Company Phone : 707-786-5483 Description : The Ferndale Rep is the longest running live theatre on California's north coast. Since 1972, we have produced more than 270 productions… from comedies to classics, mysteries to musicals, fine dramas to magical fantasies. All find a home on our stage.